The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) presented Nigeria’s Innovative IT Policy Formulation Approach at the London Blockchain Conference, which has just come to a close.
At the conference, which took place from the 31st of May to the 2nd of June in 2023 at the Queen Elizabeth II International Conference Centre in Westminster, London, United Kingdom, NITDA served as the head of the Nigerian delegation.
Participating in a panel discussion titled “Blockchain Innovation Programme: Changing Lives Through BSV Education” was Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, who was represented by Dr. Usman Gambo Abdullahi, Director of Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions.
He (the DG) seized the occasion to tell the global Blockchain community of Nigeria’s unique initiatives towards guaranteeing statewide adoption of the technology, as stated in a news release that was signed by Hadiza Umar (Mrs), Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations at NITDA.
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Comments from NITDA Director General
Mr. Inuwa stated that the National Blockchain Policy for Nigeria, which was authorised by the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, was unveiled by Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Mr. Inuwa was informed that the National Blockchain Policy for Nigeria was approved by the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
He went on to say that the Policy was formulated in order to facilitate Nigeria’s transition into the digital economy through the use of Blockchain technology to the promotion of innovation, the enhancement of public services, generation of employment opportunities, reduction of corruption, and the acceleration of economic progress.
It is possible to recall that in 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, was the one who created and unveiled the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS). One of the eight pillars that support the Policy is digital society and emerging technologies. The Policy is supported by these eight pillars.
Implementation of Nigeria’s National Blockchain Policy, with a focus on three areas: talent development, innovation, and adoption, is intended to assist the country in accomplishing a variety of goals, including, but not limited to, increased transparency and accountability, increased efficiency, enhanced security, financial inclusion, and job creation, among other things.
It will also help stimulate innovation, improve government services, drive economic growth, increase public trust in governance, and promote citizen involvement. All of these benefits will come as a result of this.
How NITDA Blockchain Scholarship Scheme will help Nigerians
Mr Inuwa drew attention to the growing need for marketable skills all across the world. That Nigeria, which has a population of over 200 million people, is responsible for over half of the population of West Africa. In addition, the fact that Nigeria possesses a sizeable brain capital and a strong comparative advantage to use Blockchain technology in order to deliver a highly skilled workforce to the global market is a huge positive.
In light of this fact, the Agency went ahead and arranged for a National Talent Gap Assessment to be carried out, which ultimately led to the formulation of a National Digital Skills Strategy.
The NITDA Blockchain Scholarship Scheme, which has Domineum Blockchain Technology Solutions as its implementing partner and BSV Blockchain Association through BSV Blockchain Academy as its content provider, is a component of the overarching plan of the Agency to add 500,000 Blockchain professionals to the talent pool. This is done with the intention of establishing Nigeria as a leading talent hub for the innovation and development of blockchain technology.
It is exciting to learn that Nigeria has secured the commitment of BSV Blockchain Association for subsequent batches of the programme through Stefan Mathews, co-Founder and Executive Chairman of the nChain Group, a global Blockchain technology and Intellectual Property holding company. Mathews is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Bitcoin Association.
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NITDA’s dedication to preserving the momentum
It should also be mentioned that the NITDA published the National Blockchain Adoption Strategy in 2021, following a series of interactions with stakeholders in the ecosystem. Establishment of a Blockchain Consortium in Nigeria; Strengthening of the Regulatory and Legal Framework; Provision of a National Digital Identity; Promotion of Blockchain Digital Literacy and Awareness; Creation of Blockchain Business Incentive Programmes; and Establishment of a National Blockchain Sandbox for Proof of Concepts and Pilot Implementation were the six initiatives that were the primary focus of the Strategy. The National Blockchain Policy capitalises on both the achievements that were made and the lessons that were learnt during the process of putting the Strategy into action.
In addition, the Director General reaffirmed NITDA’s dedication to preserving the momentum using Blockchain technology in particular and emerging technologies in general, and working towards the goal of converting Nigeria into a leading digital economy that provides quality of life and economic success for all of its citizens.